Why exercise?

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Why is exercise an important part of life? We all have our reasons, but it never hurts to hear a few more. It also benefits to know that scientist have researched and made convincing statements based on their results. These experts have found that exercise keeps us young, lean, happy, and pain free! I think all of you will agree that these are great reasons to keep moving!

Exercise slows down the aging process. Studies are proving that exercise can decrease the speed at which our mitochondria age. This is good news since they are the power generators for our bodies. When our mitochondria stay young and healthy so do our muscles, our skin, hair, and reproductive systems. Exercise builds and maintains bone mass. Therefore preventing osteoporosis. Strength training prevents the age related muscle loss that adults experience each year. This retention of muscle can help prevent falls and also sports related injuries. Cardiovascular exercise strengthens our heart and lungs. It keeps the blood flowing through our veins smoothly, lowers blood pressure, and lowers LDL cholesterol, while raising HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol). Regular exercise can also prevent the onset of diabetes.

Strength training increases our metabolism therefore keeping us lean. Scientist have discovered that when you perform strength training to muscle fatigue you are actually causing tiny tears in the muscle fibers. When the body repairs these fibers it not only makes us stronger it also uses more calories. This is why your metabolism is kicked up for 2-3 days after strength training. Cardiovascular exercise burns a great deal of calories and therefore helps us to maintain a healthy balance of calories in verses calories out. As you become more cardiovascularly fit, your body also becomes more efficient at using fat for fuel as opposed to carbohydrate. This is a welcome side effect! If you want to lose weight it is important to keep your diet in control and together with weekly strength training, and 45-60 minute cardiovascular exercise 3-4 times per week you can reach your weight loss goals.

It is a common claim that exercise makes us happy! Now scientist have discovered that this is probably due to the existence of the endocannabinoid sytem not endorphins. Endorphin molecules are too large to pass through to the brain. However after studying cannabinoids from marijuana, scientist discovered that the body can produce its own cannabinoids through exercise. They can cause reactions that include; reduced pain, less anxiety, and a floaty free form sense of well-being. All sounds great to me!

Whether we go for a walk, do a formal weight training workout, or attend a yoga class; exercise should be a necessary part of almost every day. Why wouldn’t we want to do something that makes us younger, leaner, and happier?